Fig. 13. Climax community dominated by the deep-water reef coral 

 Agaricia undata, at a depth of 50 meters, Maria Buena Bay, Jamaica. The 

 coral population in the foreground actually consists of a close association of A. 

 undata with A. cucullata, A. fragilis, and an undescribed species of Agaricia. 

 This type of coral community occurs only on the open fore-reef slope in the 

 preserice of coarse reef talus. The outwardly solid appearance of the cabbage- 

 like coral growth hides the extensive damage done to their bases by boring 

 sponges. The feathery growths in the background are Gorgonacea, and several 

 large sponges are visible below and to the left of the diver. The approximate 

 location of this scene is indicated by the lower arrow on profile B in Fig. 10. 



41 



